PHUKET: There is just not much that can be done to stop a Phuket motorcycle rider getting where they need to be, by the shortest possible route.
Last Tuesday Phuket highway officers and Vichit traffic police placed plastic post road barriers at the south end of the Central Festival underpass.
The barriers aimed to stop all motorists from performing illegal u-turns at the entrance/exit of the underpass.
However, it appears that these barriers are failing to stop riders travelling south along the bypass road from doing illegal u-turns that endanger other motorists travelling north.
In a visit to observe what was happening, Phuketwan reporters saw at least 20 motorcycles in 10 minutes perform illegal u-turns at the southern end of the new post barricades.
Other riders completed illegal u-turns in the middle of the barricade.
While the plastic barriers may be safer than concrete barriers for motorists, they are failing to stop motorcycle riders completing illegal u-turns.
It does appear that the new barriers are stopping cars and bigger vehicles from completing illegal u-turns.
While two no u-turns' are clearly visible as southern motorists approach the barrier, there is no sign to show south bound motorists that they can complete a lawful u-turn about 100 meters further along the road.
Chief of the Vichit Traffic Police, Colonel Siripong Wongsanpe, told Phuketwan that every motorbike rider or driver trying to make illegal u-turns at the barriers will be fined 400-1000 baht if caught.
Colonel Siripong said that police were considering placing another sign near the new barricades to tell motorists about the correct place to complete their u-turn.
Last Tuesday Phuket highway officers and Vichit traffic police placed plastic post road barriers at the south end of the Central Festival underpass.
The barriers aimed to stop all motorists from performing illegal u-turns at the entrance/exit of the underpass.
However, it appears that these barriers are failing to stop riders travelling south along the bypass road from doing illegal u-turns that endanger other motorists travelling north.
In a visit to observe what was happening, Phuketwan reporters saw at least 20 motorcycles in 10 minutes perform illegal u-turns at the southern end of the new post barricades.
Other riders completed illegal u-turns in the middle of the barricade.
While the plastic barriers may be safer than concrete barriers for motorists, they are failing to stop motorcycle riders completing illegal u-turns.
It does appear that the new barriers are stopping cars and bigger vehicles from completing illegal u-turns.
While two no u-turns' are clearly visible as southern motorists approach the barrier, there is no sign to show south bound motorists that they can complete a lawful u-turn about 100 meters further along the road.
Chief of the Vichit Traffic Police, Colonel Siripong Wongsanpe, told Phuketwan that every motorbike rider or driver trying to make illegal u-turns at the barriers will be fined 400-1000 baht if caught.
Colonel Siripong said that police were considering placing another sign near the new barricades to tell motorists about the correct place to complete their u-turn.
Should not have said "when caught". Oh hang on that would mean a bit of police enforcement. Silly me
Posted by rich on October 13, 2015 12:38